Monday, August 18, 2014

Creature Catalog, part 1, Amitok

Once again we jump forward in time to Dragon Magazine #89, and the last of the three chess themed covers. This issue is one of my all time favorites. It includes the Sentinel NPC class, an elite guard that I'll try to convert to a fighter archetype here soon. Elminster also brings us six unique shields. It also has a pull out section, the Creature Catalog. While unfortunately I sold the majority of my old D&D stuff years ago when I started switching over to digital format, I still have this pull out section. Twenty-nine new monsters are in this issue! I'm going to start by bringing one of those to you here today.

Amitok

Medium humanoid (goblinoid), neutral evil

Armor Class 13

Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)

Speed 30 ft.

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA

16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 9 (-1)

Damage Resistances: cold, poison

Senses darkvision 60 ft, passive Perception 10

Languages Goblin

Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Snow Camouflage. Amitok have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy terrain.

Actions

Multiattack. The amitok makes two claw attacks.

Claw.Melee Weapon Attack: + 3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 4 (1d4+3) slashing damage.

Amitoka (the singular form is amitok) are also known as snow goblins. They are descendant from hobgoblin stock that has adapted to arctic and subarctic climates. Amitoka are very broad in build, and covered in light gray or white fur, except for their hairless, blue faces.

Amitoka are carnivorous and frequent hunters. They fear no creature, and groups of amitoka are known to take on a solitary frost giant, and they usually win out, even though many of the group will die in the assault. After the battle they will gather all of the dead (including their own) and bring them back to their lair for a feast.

Amitoka lair in short tunnel systems dug deep into the snow, usually with 2-5 large communal rooms for the colony. There are half as many females as males, and twice as many young as total adults. Only the males go hunting, but the females ferociously defend the colony. The amitok culture is completely oriented to getting food, and all creatures are potential food sources.

A thick layer of fat keeps amitoka warm, and provides resistance to cold damage. The fat layer also provides them with advantage on saves vs. injected poisons.

Colonies of amitoka are likely to have hoar foxes or winter wolves as pets. Amitoka hate all humans and demihumans, and dislike all other creatures besides themselves. They do cooperate at times with quaggoth, and the two creatures have been mistaken for each other.

Large colonies are often led by a shaman, who has 18 Strength, is 8 ft. tall (and considered a large creature) and causes 1d8+4 points of damage with each of its claw attacks. This shaman also has spells as a Priest, listed in the DM Basic Rules. He has a CR of 3 (700 xp).